Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Health and wellness
is much more than the absence of disease or pain. Some prescriptions can reduce
pain, but they do so without addressing the underlying issue. An awareness of how
well your nervous system is functioning, what you’re putting into your body,
and what goes onto your skin are all important elements of health and wellness.
Each of us make
choices that have an impact on our health and wellness. Reading food labels,
making better choices about what we put into our bodies, or taking a brisk walk
can lead to improved health. Eating junk food and being a couch potato can take
us in the opposite direction.
At Vibrant Life
Health Center, we partner with our patients to help them develop plans for a
balanced and healthy life. One of the tools we use is called the SHIFT
Paradigm. SHIFT is an acronym which stands for:
- Skeletal Structure
- Headspace
- Intake of Nutrients
- Functional Fitness
- Toxic Burden.
Skeletal
Structure
Our skeletal
structure is incredibly intricate. It keeps our central nervous system in
balance. The brain is the command
center. The spinal column protects the spinal cord, which is the body’s communication
system. It controls all the messages that flow through the spinal cord and the nerves
to the rest of the body.
Our spinal column
needs to be in alignment for our bodies to work well. If our spinal column is
out of alignment, the result is a communication blockage. This can slow and/or
prevent healing. Chiropractic is very effective for bringing the spine back
into alignment when needed. Chiropractic is also a great way to keep the spine
from going out of alignment.
Headspace
The things that we
tell ourselves can either work for us or against us. Fueling the mind
statements like “I’m no good,” and “No
one loves me,” and “I’ll always have to take this medication,” can
be self-fulfilling. On the other hand, when you speak positive thoughts into
your mind, you find that you can maneuver your way through the roadblocks in
life and continue moving toward your destination. A simple thought like “I can
do this” is very empowering.
Another key element
for healthy headspace is gratitude. In November, I wrote a blog post titled Gratitude Is Good for Mental, Emotional, and
Physical Health. I’m happy to report that gratitude can work for
people year round, not just during the holiday season. The blog post had some
of the research showing the positive impact maintaining an attitude of
gratitude can have on a person’s life. It also had some interesting quotes. Here
are two that sum things up nicely.
“Gratitude is an immensely powerful force that we can use to expand our happiness, create loving relationships, and even improve our health. If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul.” Deepak Chopra
“Reflect on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens
Intake of
Nutrients
The cells in our body
are fueled by the food that we consume. If we constantly consume poor quality
foods, the body will react negatively. There may be a feeling of sluggishness or
there may be serious physical problems. When we take in whole, natural foods
that are rich in vitamins, the body reacts positively. We’re likely to
feel a higher energy level. We may even find that we don’t need as many
medications as we have been taking.
Most packaged foods
have been highly processed and have numerous ingredients, including
preservatives. Foods that are not highly processed have fewer ingredients and
are more beneficial for overall health. Switching from highly processed foods
to foods with less processing isn’t about diet. It’s about shifting eating
habits and the way you think about food. The byproducts of this shift are
improved health and wellness. This is frequently accompanied by weight loss.
Functional
Fitness
“Functional fitness exercises train your
muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common
movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various
muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness
exercises also emphasize core stability.” Mayo Clinic
Toxic
Burden
When the body is
functioning properly it removes harmful toxins. However, if we are not careful
about limiting toxic substances (medicines, processed foods, pesticide-sprayed
foods, cleaners, air pollution, etc.), we may have more toxins than the body
can dispose of. At Vibrant Life Health Center, we help patients learn how to
detox their bodies with chiropractic care, natural foods, and exercise.
If needed, we can also recommend and provide high quality natural supplements
to give your body a boost.
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In this article, I
have discussed the SHIFT Paradigm. SHIFT is an acronym that stands for Skeletal
Structure, Headspace, Intake of Nutrients, Functional Fitness, and Toxic
Burden. Improvements in these five areas produce significant improvements in
terms of health and wellness.
If you have a comment
about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know
of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it
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At Vibrant Life, we
address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This
includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with
a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please
contact our office to set up an appointment.
What people need to SHIFT is their reliance on traditional medicine by embracing holistic healers like chiropractors. I go to mine every 8 weeks and it is the best money I spend on healthcare.
ReplyDeleteThis breaks things down into five simple components of health that I can understand. It's helpful.
ReplyDeletePeople who feel tired, sick or get sick too often need to make the SHIFT. When they do, they become happier and live a more abundant life.
ReplyDeleteLife has this sneaky way of creeping in and throwing curve balls left and right. Life will always happen. There will always be a busy day at work or family problems or relationship highs and lows or sick children. Once conflict arises, it seems like health and fitness routines go haywire. dominos diabetic pizza
ReplyDelete